The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1887-08-24
Especial Correspondence of THE RECORD
THE PRIDE OF NEW Jersey.
The State House at Trenton a Fine Speci-
men of Architecture-Th Original One,
Modelled and RemodeIed--The Work

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Jerseys Capitol. Any one passing up or
down State street cannot help but stop
and gaze with admiration upon the build
ing as it appears in one large massive
structure of Oolitic stone, handsomely
carved and finished, with the largo col
umns Of polished granite which form the
first portico. The foundations and the
walls are trimmed with New Jersey free
stone, from the Prallsville quarries, in
Hunterdon county. The portico door
head and trimming above the door are of
Wyoming blue stone, from Pennsylvania.
The portico and balcony are supported by
six massive columns of polished granite.
The inside walls are being made Of fire.
proof brick masonry. The Capitol, when
finished, will have frontage of 100 feet
on State street and depth of 81 feet, and
will be three and half stories high, with
a rotunda 80 feet across, and will be sur
mounted by dome las feet high, maxi
ing it one of the handsomest buildings in
the State and one that will be the pride
of tho State.
In the year 1900 Joseph Cooper, Thorn
as Lowery, James Ewing, Marshall Ew-
ing, George Anderson, James Mott and
Moore Furman were appointed to find
suitable place to erect such buildings as
would be necessary for the use of the
Legislature. In the year 1905 the first
State House was erected. 1t was repair
ed and improved in 1906. A bell was also
hung and used, which, however, was soon
disposed Of. In 1s41 It was again altered,
and after 1t was finished the front re-
sembled the front of the Mercer county
Court House. The rotnnda was also
erected in the same year. In 1S64-5 an
addition was built, to be used for library.
1t was then thought that the building was
not as large and commodious as it should
be, so in 1871 the Legislature appropriated
$4,000 for more work. In accordance
with this act an addition was built, the
Senate chamber enlarged and other need
cd repairs made. In 1879 $120, 900 more
was appropriated to finish and complete
the building. In 1t the State possessed
very fine geological museum. 1t contain
ed all the old battle-tiags and many ores
and agricultural specimens from the State.
On the morning of March 25, 1885, an
alarm OF FIRE was given, and at once 1t be-
came known that it was the State House.
The fire was first discovered 10 the west
end of the front part of the building. 1t
was night long to be remembered. 1t
was extremely cold so cold that when
the water was thrown upon tho building
It froze. The blaze could be seen sixteen
miles away. Despite the tireless efforts
Of the fire department, they were unable
to extinguish the flames. The fire grew
fierce and fiercer, until at last it had con-
sumed the foremost of tho buildings
Naught was left remaining except por-
ton of the outside walls. The rest was
mostly in ruins.
1t was then considered and desired to
rebuild as soon as possible SO a commits
sion was appointed, consisting OF the Gov
ernor, Secretary of State, Comptroller and
Treasurer of New Jersey, with James A.
Barstow and j. Bingham woodward.
They Immediately went into conferences
and soon the work began. 1t was thought
that the standing walls could DO used
when rebuild ing, but on examination 1T
was found that they were useless. The
Legislature had appropriated the sum OF
$50, 600, but it was found that this was
not enough to erect building such as
New Jersey would like to have and in
reality would need. Az the next session
of the Legislature they appropriated the
further sum of 1925, 900. This was to in
clude the building and partly to furnish
the interior. Immediately the deorss was
excavated and ground broken for the new
Capitol, and foundation laid which can.
not BIO equaled in the State. The plan
was drawn by Architect Broome, OF Jer-
The CAPITOL when comp leted, will have